Reds' stunning playoff loss lingered with Votto

"I actually felt pretty whipped'

Dec. 7, 2012

Reds star Joey Votto, complete with a new beard, shakes the hand of former Red Eric Davis Friday night at Redsfest. / The Enquirer/Joseph Fuqua II

More

ADVERTISEMENT

As Game 5 of the National League Division Series wound down, Joey Votto went from player to fan.

When the game ended and the Reds’ collapse after having a two-games-to-none lead was complete, Votto felt as crushed as any Reds fan. Two and a half months later, the loss to the San Francisco Giants in the series still stings.

“I’ve never had heartbreak in my life,” he said. “That’s the first time I actually felt pretty whipped from something. I thought we were going to keep going. For us to get knocked out like that I couldn’t even talk about it for a good bit. I still haven’t spoken about it. I have no interest in speaking about it. It was so upsetting and so frustrating. To have it in your grasp and have it fall through is just so disappointing.

“I think the reason it bothered me so much is because it was the first time I ever saw the Cincinnati fans go out of their character. They were absolutely crazy in that last bit of (Game 5). It was the best version of them I’ve ever seen. They were fantastic. They felt it was close. Not to get that – I was a fan in that moment – not to get to experience that elation ...”

Votto said the pain of that loss, coupled with the knee injury that forced him to miss six weeks and left him a shadow of himself when he returned, is driving the already driven Votto a little harder this offseason.

“It’s funny, it’s partially why I’m wearing this beard right now,” he said. “I’m going 'Rocky IV' style. I’m really upset with the way the season ended. I’m upset with getting injured and not being able to play up to my potential and have an immediate impact at certain times.

“The time off is certainly good. The time to strengthen, rehab and recover is good also.”

He’s made big strides with his knee recently.

“When I first got injured, I didn’t anticipate it would take this long,” he said. “I feel like I’ve made a tremendous improvement over the last month. I struggled after the surgery to crouch down even – too much swelling, not enough mobility in the joint, too much pain. Now I’m to the point where I can just about sit on the back of my heels. I can do a full squat. I can do all kinds of crouching. My strength is not at 100 percent, but it’s getting there. I’m running full-speed, jumping.

“As far as improving, it’s improved a great deal.”

Votto has not started baseball activities.

“My sole focus is to get to 100 percent and go from there,” he said.

Votto is intent on getting to 100 percent. He’s always worked hard in the offseason. He’s got a bit more of an edge this offeseason.

“I’m quite a bit angrier,” he said. “You kind have to respect the (knee) joint and play it by ear. I’ve challenged it in a ton of different ways. I’ve seen the results. I’ve seen progress every day. For me to be where I am right now is very encouraging. I’m looking forward at some point – hopefully before spring training – to be at 100 percent.”

Votto said after getting the Tip O’Neill Award as the top Canadian player that he would play for Canada in the World Baseball Classic. He clarified that.

“I’m not going to play in the WBC if I’m not 100 percent,” he said. “My priority is play for the Cincinnati Reds and hopefully to make up for last year.”

Votto doesn’t follow every baseball move in the offseason. But he’s kept abreast, and he’s confident in the team going into 2013. Getting a leadoff hitter would be nice.

“To become a perfect team, sure,” he said. “It’s all about what’s within reason. I don’t know anything about the budget. But I think we had a pretty damn good team last year. I think we’re one of those teams that with age will improve – similarly to how we aged this year. (Mat) Latos, (Homer) Bailey and Johnny Cueto are three guys that improved through normal aging. They’re more seasoned. They made us a far better team.

“We’ve got guys in similar position. They can make big jumps and improvements – and we can win a World Series for God’s sake.”

Votto has spoken to Scott Rolen, who is contemplating retirement.

“We never speak about baseball,” Votto said. “I hope he does whatever makes him happy. I love playing with him.”

Votto gave Rolen the ultimate compliment.

“I got everything I needed from him playing beside him. I learned a tremendous amount. You can always learn, but the two or three years I had with him were not wasted. I tell you what: He changed my path as a player. He was a shining example of the kind of player I want to be. Simply because of how quiet he was and how respected he was throughout baseball.”